The Denver Nuggets just pulled an offseason move that has everyone talking: they let 23-year-old Peyton Watson walk to Cleveland in a sign-and-trade, only to bring in 37-year-old DeMar DeRozan. Watson locked down a four-year, $22 million deal, and Denver’s brass apparently thought that number was “too rich” to match. For Nuggets supporters, watching Watson develop into a real solid piece for a team not that far removed from a 2023 NBA title parade, this is a tough one to swallow.
Future Picks for Present Pain?
Whether you think $22 million a season (and those gnarly tax penalties) is worth it for Watson, the immediate return for Denver is a head-scratcher. They got a first and a second round draft pick, but those picks are years out. Seriously, *years* out! That kind of return just doesn’t inspire a whole lot of hope for Denver’s immediate chances at another ring with Jokic. You gotta wonder if the organization truly prioritizes winning another championship right now with the greatest player in their franchise’s history. Sure, those draft picks *could* help make roster moves down the line, but let’s be real, at this moment, it feels way more likely those picks will just get used to offload more salary and trim down their tax penalties. Watson was becoming a strong defensive option, trusted with star assignments. His absence on that end of the court? It’s gonna be felt, big time.
DeRozan’s Arrival and the Jokic Factor
So, who are they bringing in to replace that? DeMar DeRozan. The dude’s a certified bucket-getter, no argument there. Last season in Sacramento, he averaged better than 18 points a game, even though his team spent the year in the cellar. He’s got almost 27,000 career points! His .594 True Shooting Percentage last year shows he can keep his efficiency up, which will absolutely play well in Denver. The Nuggets desperately need an on-ball presence with the bench, someone who can score without Jokic running everything.
Apparently, DeRozan choosing Denver had a lot to do with their core: Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray all talked with him about joining. The belief is that DeRozan and Jokic should work extremely well together. Imagine the spacing with DeRozan drawing doubles into the post! And having another vet who’s been through big moments? That’s gotta be huge.
What’s Next for the Mile High City
Denver still has Jokic, and that alone keeps them alive in every series they play. But the offseason moves sure make you think about the season ahead. Can DeRozan’s scoring make up for Watson’s defensive void? Will those “years in the future” draft picks ever pay off for a team with a superstar like Jokic in his prime? We’ll all be watching to see how this new-look Nuggets squad gels when the season kicks off. It’s on DeMar to prove this was the right bet for Denver.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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